Follow Your Curiosity

CPT #112: Embrace Your Weird

All those little things you think are weird about you? They're the things that make you unique. That make you stand out. It's time you embrace them instead of running from them. I'll tell you why in this short episode.

 

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk.

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Listen Again: Poetry and Viral Success with Jennae Cecelia

Jennae Cecelia is a best-selling author and poet known for her poetry books, Uncaged Wallflower, The Sun Will Rise and So Will We, and Healing for No One But Me. Her mission as an author is to comfort and encourage people. In addition to writing, she is focused on helping other authors learn how to successfully put their writing out into the world. Jennae joins me to talk about how she got her start with poetry, including her family’s reaction to the idea of poetry as a career; the unexpected experience of having a viral self-published poetry book; how she helps other authors master the art of self-publishing; what it’s like writing custom poetry for others, and more.

Original release date: February 26, 2025

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction
01:10 Jennae discusses her childhood imagination and family influences
03:55 Role models and seeing creativity as a realistic pursuit
05:16 Leaning into creativity after early publishing success
08:07 Family reactions to pursuing poetry as a career
10:49 Reflecting on misconceptions about job security and risks
13:39 Jennae's self-publishing strategies and viral book success
16:56 Building momentum with multiple books and Amazon rankings
20:36 The importance of poetry in paperback form
22:38 Impacts of viral success on her perspective and career
26:14 Jennae's writing process, journey from simplicity to detail
30:07 Finding readers through specificity in poetry
33:00 Advice for authors and importance of perseverance
37:34 Managing perfectionism in writing and publishing
40:49 Custom poetry projects and their meaningful connections
45:56 Emotional experiences writing for others, from weddings to memorials
49:12 Deciding to traditionally publish for broader reach and goals
55:09 Reflecting on the challenges and anticipation of traditional publishing

Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

 

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

CPT #111: Suffering Is Optional

There's a pervasive notion out in the world that art requires suffering, that suffering for it makes you more noble...etc. etc. etc. 

If you've fallen prey to this belief, you can relax: I'm about to tell you why it's nonsense.

 

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk.

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Radio, Novels, and Surprising Twists with Nev Fountain

Nev Fountain is an award-winning writer, chiefly known for his work on the BBC sketch show Dead Ringers in both TV and radio incarnations. He has also contributed to many other programs, including Have I Got News for You and Newzoids. He is a principal gag writer for satirical magazine Private Eye and contributes to every issue.

He first came to write for Doctor Who when he script-edited the BBC online story "Death Comes to Time" in 2001, and has gone on to write some of Big Finish’s most popular audios, including "The Kingmaker" and "Peri and the Piscon Paradox." His books include The Mervyn Stone Mysteries, The Fan Who Knew too Much, and its sequel, Lies and Dolls, which was released in July.

Nev talks with me about how he got his start writing radio comedy, the challenges of writing comedy even about very serious events, writing for various forms and media, leaving room to be surprised as you’re writing, and more.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

04:02 Teachers encouraged Nev; family humor shaped his view.

08:21 Comedy influences: The Young Ones, Blackadder, Hitchhiker’s Guide.

12:27 Breaking into radio comedy.

16:03 Playwriting taught Nev what makes audiences laugh—live.

20:22 Writing comedy about tragic events; satire offers relief and perspective.

24:23 Dead Ringers’ hiatus, revival, and Jon Culshaw’s Tom Baker calls.

28:47 Sketches with Ozzy Osbourne, behind-the-scenes stories from TV comedy.

33:46 Nev’s serendipitous first Doctor Who project, "Death Comes to Time."

39:23 The process and impact of "Death Comes to Time" explained.

46:31 Challenges and expectations of writing “big” stories in franchises.

52:18 Emphasizing medium-specific storytelling; novels, radio, TV all differ.

58:14 Enjoying creative surprises; writing unfolds beyond outlines or plans.

Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in writing, theatre, and Doctor Who.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes--with videos of Nev's work and links to his books—at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you’re tired of waiting for “someday”—which is NOT a day of the week—to get unstuck and step toward your creative dream, we should talk. 

 

 

 

 

CPT #110: Are You Good Enough?

Hamstrung by the notion that you're not enough? This is the episode for you. I have two reasons why you're wrong in this short episode.

If you're tired of feeling like you can't get out of your own way and want to FINALLY make some progress toward your creative dreams, let's talk! 

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Working Moms, Power Struggles, and Creative Liberation with Elle Jaye

Elle Jaye supports powerful and resilient working moms who want to put an end to the power struggles with their child, so they become a strong team instead of adversaries. The working moms realize they are women first, and mothering is another job they do. By disrupting this mindset, the women step into their power and resilience as an extension of their values and intent for their children. Elle joins me to talk about how she discovered her creative side in her 20s, how we normalize and pass on relationship and parenting patterns, how we can see adults as atrophied children rather than seeing children as mini adults, and more.

 

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

04:24 Childhood curiosity suppressed, later recognized as problem-solving and questioning.

08:00 Creativity awakens through coloring and relaxing with children.

12:00 Daughters express creativity differently; family talents traced back generations.

16:26 Watching movies as family sparks deeper curiosity and connection.

20:10 Analyzing shows reveals generational patterns, manipulation, and emotional awareness gaps.

24:39 Parenting styles shaped by media; Cosby Show inspires new possibilities.

28:27 Realizing art and creativity were present through connection and escapism.

32:00 Family meetings on TV offered models for healthy communication.

36:41 Adults repeat childhood patterns unless they intentionally choose to change.

41:00 Children should not be seen as mini adults; generational shifts.

46:00 Letting go of control, discovering healthy ways to parent.

51:00 Play, fun, and creativity help shift negative energy and judgment.

56:00 Awareness of presence, connecting with nature improves perspective and creativity.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own creativity, we should talk.

 

CPT #109: Ignore It

In the wild, chaotic world of 2025, we tend to think we have to pay attention to EVERYTHING. Here's why you might want to challenge that belief.

If you're ready to reconnect with your creativity, join me on July 24 and 31, 2025, at 1pm ET as I lead the Pink Lady Posse Power Hour in a gentle hour of reconnection and rediscovery of your creative spirit. It's free! Register here. You can attend one or both sessions, though the second will build on the first.

 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

CPT #108: Fake It Till You Make It

You've almost certainly heard the advice to "Fake it till you make it." It's good advice—some of the time. We don't talk about when it's best to avoid it, and that's what I'm talking about in this very short episode.

 

I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark! 

Don't Dream It—Be It with Barbara Hambly

Since her first published novel, Time of the Dark, in 1982, Barbara Hambly has touched most of the bases in genre fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, horror, media tie-ins, graphic novels, screenplays, murder mysteries, and Saturday morning cartoons. Her work has been nominated for numerous Locus Awards, and her novel Those Who Hunt the Night won for Best Horror Novel in 1989. She’s also an avid martial artist. Barbara joins me to talk about marital arts and how they influence her writing, how she plots her work, the joys of research, trying to choose her favorite genre, and more.

Episode breakdown:

00:00 Introduction.

04:20 Learning new skills for writing adventure stories: research hands-on.

08:37 Creativity exists beyond making a living; people pursue passions.

12:21 Encouragement versus discouragement shapes creative confidence in childhood.

16:27 Teased for writing fanfic, Hambly stopped sharing at school.

20:59 Martial arts experience improves fight scenes and knowledge in writing.

24:13 Hands-on weapon training reveals challenges for historical accuracy.

28:37 Martial arts philosophy influences character development and approach to life.

32:08 Aikido teaches problem-solving—step aside from incoming challenges.

36:27 Hambly outlines her novels; prefers clear goals in stories.

40:08 Timelining and detailed research ensure realistic historical fiction.

44:53 Exploring world-building, food, and logistics in fantasy and sci-fi.

48:22 Hambly’s favorite projects: historical fiction, fantasy, and vampire series.

52:02 Writing across genres, balancing commercial market and creative joy.

55:24 Hambly’s creative journey spans genres, driven by passion.

 

Want more? Here's a handy playlist with all my previous interviews with guests in writing.

 

If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you’ll share it with a friend.

Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and connect with me and fellow creatives on Substack.

Please leave a review for this episode—it’s really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks!

If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, we should talk.

CPT #107: Rethinking "Hard"

What do you tell yourself when things get hard? Here's a short take on a different perspective to help keep you on track.

 

I teach women how to reignite their lost creative spark. If you’ve been tearing up when you encounter other people’s art because you’ve lost touch with your own, let's talk. 

Want more tips? Check out all my previous Creative Pep Talks in this playlist!

Could you leave a review? It's really easy, and it helps SO much. Thanks! 

If you'd like to stay up to date on things like my courses and also get podcast and event updates, and my latest musings, subscribe to The Spark!